NORTHERN PETROLEUM PLC - Guyane GM-ES-3 Well Spudded

London, January 2

                            Northern Petroleum Plc                             

                   ("Northern" or "the Company" (AIM: NOP))                    

                          Guyane GM-ES-3 Well Spudded                          

Northern Petroleum Plc is pleased to announce that GM-ES-3 the second well of the current four-well programme in the Guyane Maritime Permit (French Guiana), was spudded by Shell as Operator on 29th December 2012.

This well has been located to test the Priodontes Prospect and provide further geological data critical to gaining a better understanding of the potential of this area as a new offshore oil province.

Northern through holding 50 per cent of Northpet Investments Limited, owns a net 1.25 per cent interest in the offshore exploration licence `Guyane Maritime'. Northern is in partnership with Shell (Operator, 45%), Total (25%), Tullow Oil (27.5%), and Wessex Exploration (also a 1.25 per cent holder through owning the remaining 50 per cent interest in Northpet Investments Limited).

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern stated:

"The joint venture with Shell, Total, Tullow and Wessex is continuing upon its vigorous follow up of the successful GM-ES-1 discovery in late 2011. This is the second well in the four well programme to assess the potential of the offshore of Guyane as a new oil province. I look forward to updating shareholders on progress in the coming months".

In accordance with the AIM Rules - Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by the Exploration and Technical Director of Northern, Mr. Graham Heard CGeol. FGS, who has over 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.